Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out 160. Rory Scovel Returns: How To Do 600 Minutes of Improvised Standup
Feb 10, 2025
Rory Scovel, a comedian and actor celebrated for his improvisational style, returns to share insights from his year-long journey of improvised stand-up. He reveals the emotional challenges of performing without a script and discusses his jealousy of fellow comedians' successes. Rory and Mike delve into how family dynamics complicate a comedian's life, balancing humor with vulnerability. They also explore crafting new jokes around complex topics, blending personal experiences with laughter, emphasizing creativity and adaptability in comedy.
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600 Minutes of Improv
- Rory Scovel did 10 fully improvised 60-minute stand-up shows at Union Hall.
- He aimed to push his creative boundaries and find new material by doing a slightly excessive number of shows.
Minutiae in Comedy
- Comedians often find relatable humor in minute, hyper-focused details.
- This happens when they tire of broader comedic strokes and venture into uncharted territories.
Improv and Confession
- Mike Birbiglia considers improvising stand-up but fears revealing too much personal information.
- Scovel believes Birbiglia already explores material loosely, suggesting he leans into improv more.